Brooder



Sept. 23, 1941. HAWKINS A BRooDER 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 13, 1939 [LLI-LEU.

Sept. 23, 1941. L, HAWKlNs 2,256,476

I BROODER Filed June 13, 1939 k4 Sheets-Sheet 2 La?? Haw/ida.:

Sept. 23, 941. L. HAWKINS BROODER Filed June 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 N SWW; Lziy Hawdz'ns un Tm Sept. 23, 1941.

L. HAWKINS BROODER Filed June 13, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 *3mm La Haw/f z'n supporting a heating Patented Sept. 23, 1941 BRO ODER Luty Hawkins, Mount Vernon, lil., assignor toV Hawkins Million Vernon, Ill.

Application June 113,

i8 Claims.

This invention relates to brooders or hovers and more particularly to a collapsible brocder or hover.

An object of this invention is to provide a brooder of this character which isY so constructed that it can be easily and quickly assembled so that the device may be initially produced and shipped in a knocked down form andV then assembled by the purchaser without the use of any tools.

Another object of this invention is to provideY in a broeder of this character an improved heating means whereby several ranges of heat. may be provided.

A further object of this invention is to provide' a broeder of this kind which includes vertical side walls and means suspended inwardly of the walls to provide a 4dead air space serving as an insulating means for the walls of the device.

A still further object of thisinvention is to pro- Vide a broeder of this character which is so constructed that it may be used for a longer period of time than broeders at present available, the device including means whereby the height ofthe brcoder structure may be gradually increased as the chickens grow in height.

A further object of this invention is to provide a brooder'of this kind which includes a novel heating means wherein a thermostat is so connected to the heating units or elements that a relatively small and cheap thermostat may be used. i

A further object of in a brooder of this this invention is to provide type an improved means for device within the brooder.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combinationV a rectangular brooder frame structure and an insulated top which is adapted to retain the heat on the inside of the broeder, the insulation being of such a character that-it may be readily replaced as occasion requires.

A further object o this invention is to provide in combination a brooder structure including` adapted to removably engage on the top wall of above the warm top without coming into direct contact with the heat producing means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a broeder of this kind including fabric inner walls and novel means for supporting the inner walls within the frame structure, the inner walls being provided at their lower edges with depending naps which may be readily pushed asideY by an insulated topk and a roost structure which is the device so that the chickens may be disposedl Dollar Hen, I-nc;, Mou-ntl the chickens inw either entering cr lea-vingthe device.

To the above and other objects which may hereinafter appear, the invention consistsiofv the novel construction; combi'r1at,i'onv and arrange` ment of partsias will be more specifically refer-red toand illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodimentof this invention; but it is to beunderstood that changes,y modifications andV variations may be-v resorted tol which fall within the scope of the"- invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectiontaken substantially on theline |'-l ofi Figure 2- showingone portion of the-topin elevatedposition;

Figure 2 isI a transversev sectional view taken on the -line -2`2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is' an exploded pian-view'of the iframe structure with the topremoved;

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation partly i-n section of the-heater',

Figure 6 isa diagrammaticview of theicircuits' embodied in the heater,

Figure 7 isa plan view of Figure 8 is a fragmentary device',

FigureV 9 is a fragmentary-r on the lined-9 ofV Figure 8,

lthe device,A

eind elevation-.of thei sectionalview taken Figure 1-0' is an enlargedfragmen-ta-ry sectional View taken on the linej' l D-IOf ofFigure 7,

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectienall view taken on the line l-l--Il of-'Figure 8'; and

FigureY 12 is afragmentary plan view of' *oneY corner of the frame structure.

Referring to the drawings; the numeral lli designates generally a rectangular frame structure which comprises'a pair of oppositel'y disposed side walls I6 of like form and a pair ofI oppositel-y disposed endwalls I'ly of like form.y

Each side wall I6 comprises an elongated upstanding plate or sheet of metal I8 formed respectively at each end with an outwardly directed flange it,V at its upper edgewith an inwardly ex-4 tending flange 20! and at its lower edge withanl `inwardly extending flange 2|.

Each of the end walls l1 comprises a sheet 'of' metal 22 which at its upper edge is provided with an angle member 23 and'at its lower edge with a second angle member 2li. The angle members 23 and 2R are 'adapted to be secured to the inner side of the-plate 2-2I byV spot welding 251 or the like;V The end wallsv` I-1- atl each verticalr edge thereof are provided with U-shaped guide members 26 within which a iiange I9 is adapted to slidably engage. A vertically disposed angle member 21 has one side thereof welded or otherwise secured to the inner side of an end wall plate 22 and the other side of the angle member 21 is disposed in inwardly spaced relation to the free edge of the reverted or U-shaped guide member 26 so that when the side wall I6 is in assembled position the inwardly projecting side of the angle member 21 will hold the flange I9 against lateral movement relative to a guide member 26. In this manner a substantially L- shaped guide channel is provided at each vertical edge of an end Wall member I1 which is adapted to receive va flange I9 so as to hold the side wall members I in assembled position relative to the end wall members I1. At each end the flange 20 of a side wall member I6 is cut off at an angle as at 28 and in like manner each end of an upper Iangle member 23 is cut oi as at 29. The angle portion 28 of the ilange 20 is adapted to rest on the upper end of an angle member 21 as shown in Figure 12 so as -to thereby hold the side wall members I6 against further downward movement relative to the end wall member I1.

- Each end wall member I1 is provided on the outer side thereof with a pair of vertically aligned guide members 36 within each pair of which a post or supporting leg 3| is adapted to slidably engage. The leg 3I bers 36 is provided with arm 32 and the end wall I1 on the outer side thereof is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apart and downwardly directed hooks or holding members 33 within a selected one of which the arm 32 is adapted to engage so that each leg or supporting member 3| may be adjusted so as to thereby raise or lower-the frame structure comprising the sides I6 and the ends I1.

Each of the side wall members I6 at its upper edge is provided with an upwardly opening U- shaped channel member 34 which has an outwardly projecting portion 35 a ange 26 and secured thereto as by spot welding or the like. The channel or inner wall supporting member 34 projects inwardly of the iiange 26 land the upper end of a flexible or fabric wall 36 is adapted to engage in the channel or supporting member 34. The inner Wall 36 is; constructed of substantially heavy cloth and is provided at its upper end with a tunnel or looped portion 31 within which a metal rod 38 is adapted to engage. In this manner the metal rod 38 will removably support the inner Wall 36 from the channel member 34. The inner wall 36 is positioned in inwardly spaced relation to the outer wall IB thereby providing a dead air space 39 forming an insulating chamber between the lower flange 2| and the upper flange 26. The inner wall 36 at a point adjacent the lower edge thereof is provided with a horizontally disposed tunnel or channel 4D within which a Weighting means therefor in the form of a metal rod 4I is positioned. In this manner the wall 36 is held extended and adjacent the inner edge of the nange 2 i. A plurality of depending flaps 42 are secured at their upper edges to the lower edge of each inner wall 36 and these flaps 42 are adapted to overlap each other at their adjacent edges so that in normal position these aps 42 constitute extensions of the side wall members 36. However, these flaps 42 are formed of substantially light weight material s o that when the frame structure is in its lowera laterally projecting between a pair of guide memengaging beneath most position, the small chickens may readily move out from within the frame structure by pushing the flaps outwardly and may return by an inward movement of the iiaps 42.

The end walls I1 are provided at their upper edges with channel members 43 which are similar in construction to the channel members 34, being provided with an outwardly extending portion 44 engaging beneath the angle member 23 and secured thereto as by spot welding or the like. An end wall member 45 provided at its uptunnel or loop 46 is removably the channel member 43 and a metal rod 41 is disposed in the tunnel 46 so that in length than the inner end wall member 36 and extends downwardly to a point slightly above The interior of the frame structure I 5 is adapted to be maintained at the desired temperature by means of a heating device generally designated as 43. This heating device comprises a wire mesh horizontally disposed housing 5D provided with a removable wire mesh cover 5I. The lower portion of the housing 50 is provided with a rectangular frame 52 having an inwardly projecting flange 53. The housing 5i) is secured to the frame 52 by means of a plurality of clips 54 which are bent about the frame 52 and about the vertical side portions of the lower housing member 5U. The heating member 49 at one end thereof is provided with a transversely disposed angle member 55 extending between the sides of the rectangular frame 52 and a plurality of insulated bushings 56 extend through the angle member 55. The end member 51 of the frame 52 is provided with an insulating bushing 58 through which a pair of Wires 59 are adapted to engage. The wires 59 constitute a means for connecting the hereinafter described heating unit to a Terminals 62 are mounted on the insulated plate 66 and the two wires 59 are connected to these terminals 62. An intermediate angle member 63 extends between and is secured to the sides of the frame 52 and insulators 64 extend through the vertical side of the angle member 63. A third angle member 65 is positioned in spaced relation to the intermediate angle member 63 and insulators 66 extend through the vertical side of the angle member 65.

The heating member 49 is provided at its for- Ward end with a downwardly extending wire mesh housing 61 Which is preferably formed integral with the lower housing portion 50. A thermostat generally designated as 68 is mounted within the housing 61 and is connected to the heating elements as will be hereinafter described.

A pair of longitudinally extending and outer heating elements y Y of the wires 59. -The opposite ends of the two asse-,47e

disposed on one side of a depending supportingmember I4 and' is provided at its lower end por'- tion with a horizontally projecting stud T6' andh one endof a coiled bi-metallio spring member I'Iv is secured to the stud 16. by a vertical extension '19 integral withj theV coilmember il and is normally adapted to contact with a stationary contact Slcarried bya support 8| iixed to the support '14; The thermostat adjusting lever or member T5 is rocked by means of a bell crank 82y having one portion thereofV engaged with a loop 83 carried bythe rock member 75 An adjusting lever 84 is secured to the bell crank 82 and is positioned above the insulated' plate 73. A pair of spaced apart stop pins 85 are positioned on opposite sides of the adjusting lever 8e so asl to limit the swinging movement of this lever. Rocking of the lever 84 will swing the insulated member 'i5 so as to either tighten the coil l'l or loosen this coil and thereby permit op- Y eration of the thermostat to cut on or oit the heat at the desired temperature.

An inner pair of heating elements 35 extend through the inner insulators 56, 64y and t6 and one end of each heating element 86 is connected to a terminal 62, being connected in series. The opposite ends of the two inner heating elements 8B are connected to a switch 3'! mounted on a supporting member 88- Which is fixed to the angle member 65. The opposite ends of the heating elements 8b are connected as by conductors 89to the switch 8l so that when the switch 8'! is closed the two heating elements 86 are connected together in seriesbut are not connected to the thermostat 58.

A iight member Si) is mounted in a socket 9| carried by a transversely extending supporting plate 92 which is Xed to the frame 52'. The socket GI is connected as by a pair of conductors 93 to the two terminals $2 and isadaptedv to be lighted at all times when the heating member 49 is in operation. The heating member 49 is supported Within the frame I5 by means of pairs of upwardly extending hooks 94 which are secured to the frame 52. The hooks 94 are adapted to engage downwardly projecting supporting mem'- bers 95 provided with an opening 9b. The supporting members 95 are secured in pairs to a transversely extending channel supporting bar 97. Each bar 9'! at the ends thereof is provided with a downwardly extended threaded stud S8 which engages through an opening 99 provided in an inwardly projecting strip IGS which is secured to the under side of a flange 2i).

Through the provision of threads on the studs 93 the supporting bars 9'! are more readily held in applied or operative position than where unthreaded studs are used. With the use of threaded studs, it is not necessary to use Cotter pins, nuts or the like to hold the bars 91 in operative position. rhese bars 97 also hold the side members l5 against spreading.

A removable top generally designated as liiI is mounted on top of the frame I5 and comprises a pair of bottom wal-ls Iii? and channelled side and' A Contact 'f8Y is carried* is provided with4 a supporting leg end walls |63 and Id. The two top sections I-ill and I0'l aare in the formy of open` topvv chambers or containers hingedly connected togetherV by a hinge structure |05 and each ofthe top sections |06. The supporting leg |06- at its upper end has a V-shaped portion IDT engaging through the bight ora channel member |045 so'as to-pi-votally secure a supporting legto an end channel member- I`D'4 and permit the long' l'eg portionl I'Illi to extend down- Wardly and engage thefupper'ed'g-e of' an end member I1. Each end member I-'I is provided with a plate |08 which projects partly above the top of j the end member and against Whichthe lower end of the supporting leg |06 is adapted tol engage. Thisplate |08 also holds thetop sections against endwise movement. The side wall members I6 are provided at a point in the longitudinal center thereof withan upwardly projecting plate |69 which plate- IIii! is adapted to hold the two top sections against lateral movement'.

The top section IUI is provided with a transversely extending brace I'IIl which is shorter inV height than the height ofthe side members H33.

. In like manner, the top section IUIa is provided with a channel member IIUa. The top sections-IUI and I'DIa are adapted to have substantially loose material I II' positioned therein which has a depthvsubstantially equal to the height of Y* the braces II0 and IIa. This material II I may be in the form of peat moss or other suitable material which will serve as an insulating means to hold the heatfrom the heating member 49 in the g frame |15. It W-ill, of' course, be understood that when the heating member 49"-is in operation, the

insulating materialv IIII will also be heated andJ when the chickens are large enough, they may roost on top ofthe frame structure. Preferably, a roost member in theform of 'a plurality of transversely extendingv parallel bars II2 secured to a rectangular frame I I3 is adapted to engage on topof the tWotop sections` IIlI and IIlIa. This roost comprising the bars |1|2` and the rectangular member I3 is a rigid structure and the bars |`2l are adapted to project laterally of the sides` I6 for the desired distance s0 that thechickens may rooston the` outer portions of these bars H52.

In the use and operation devicevisinitially shipped to'-l the purchaser in knocked down condition5v with the sides. ends, heater and supporting means therefor disconnected. The sides andI4 ends arexassembl'ed" by positioning the flanges IQin the channel members bers and then forcing the side members downm Wardly until the ange ZIJ engages-the upper end of the angle member 2l. The height of the frame I5 may be readily adjusted by adjustment ofthe supporting legs 3| through the medium of the hooks 33 and the hook engaging arm 32 carried by each leg 3|'. The heater may be suspended within the frame I5 by'initially engaging the hooks Sli with the depending members 95Y wall members t5 may then be mounted in the end channel member-e113.- The two wire conductors 59 may then be connected to a source of! electric current` supply andthe top sections IfIiI s and IDLI then removably mounted on tophof the frame I 5.'

of this brooder, the

26" at theA upper ends oithese channel mem-v In normal use the two top sections are in hori- Zontal alignment with the legs, or supporting members |06 positioned on the outer open side of the end channel members H34. The thermostat 68 may then be adjusted to produce the desired heat through the outer heating elements B9 which are connected together in series. When the chickens are within the frame I and it is found that the chickens are not obtaining enough heat, the inner heating members 85 may be connected through the closing of the switch 8l to the supply conductors 59 so as to thereby provide the desired additional heat.

After the chickens have grown the frame may be raised by adjusting the legs 3i and then the roost comprising the bars H2 .and H3 may be loosely mounted on top ofuthetwo top sections IDI and lilla. Y

If it is desired to inspect the chickens on the inside of the frame l5 or inspect the heating member 49, one of the top sections may be swung upwardly and supported in upwardly inclined position by swinging a leg member IBS downwardly and engaging the lower end of the leg member IG with an upwardly projecting plate A brooder constructed according to this invention may be constructed at'a substantially small costl and due to the knocked down factor of the device, the entire structure may be shipped at a lower freight rate thanY where the brooder is completely assembled. In addition to this, the assembling of the brooder is a relatively simple matter and does not require the use of any tools whatsoever as the side walls readily slide into the end channel members 26to the limit permitted by the upper ends of the inwardly projecting angle members 21. These angle members 21 not only serve as a means to limit the downward movement of the side walls It relative to the end walls I6, but also serve as a means to hold the flanges I9 in the channels 26 so that when the structure is in assembled condition, it will not collapse.

What I claim is:

1. A brooder or hover comprising a frame formed of outer side and end walls, means detachably securing said walls together, inwardly projecting upper and lower iianges carried by the upper and lower edges of said walls, a fabric inner wall for each of said outer walls, means dependingly supporting said fabric walls within said frame in spaced relation to the walls of said frame to provide insulating air spaces between the said outer and inner walls, and weighting means for certain of said fabric walls.

2. A brooder or hover comprising a frame formed of outer side and end walls disposed in connected relation, inwardly projecting upper and lower flanges carried by the upper and lower edges of said walls, a fabric inner wall for each of said outer walls, means dependingly supporting said fabric walls within said frame in spaced relation to the walls of said frame to provide insulating air spaces between the said outer and inner walls, weighting means for and carried by certain of said inner walls, and flaps depending from the said certain walls.

3. A brooder or hover comprising a frame formed of outer side and end walls, means detachably securing said walls together, inwardly projecting upper and lower flanges carried by the upper and lower edges of said walls, a fabric inner wall for each of said outer walls, means dependingly supporting said fabric walls within said frame in spaced relation to the Walls of said frame to provide insulating air spaces between the said outer and inner walls, weighting means for certain of said fabric walls, a heating member within the frame, a pair of transversely disposed supporting bars for said heating member, means dependingly securing said heating member to said bars, and means detachably securing said bars to said frame.

LA brooder or hover comprising a frame formed of outer side and end walls, means detachably securing said walls together, inwardly projecting upper and lower iianges Carried by the upper and lower edges of said walls, a fabric inner wall for each of said outer walls, means dependingly supporting said fabric walls within said frame in spaced relation to the walls of said frame to provide insulating air spaces between said outer and inner walls, weighting means disposed intermediate the upper and lower ends of and `carried by certain of said fabric walls, said weighting means substantially aligning with the lower flanges of certain of said outer walls, a heating member disposed longitudinally within said frame, a pair of transversely disposed supporting bars for said heating member, means detachably securing said heating member to said bars, a pair of inwardly projecting bar supporting elements carried by each of said side walls, each element having an opening, and a threaded stud carried by each bar at each end thereof engageable in an opening to thereby hold said outer side walls against spreading, the threads on said studs engaging the marginal edges of an opening to thereby resist movement of a stud relative to an element.

5. A brooder or hover comprising a frame formed of opposite side and end walls, pairs of vertically spaced apart leg guiding members carried by certain of said walls, a leg slidable in each pair of guiding members, a laterally projecting arm carried by each leg between said guiding members, and a plurality of vertically spaced apart downwardly directed hook members fixed to said certain Walls, an arm being engageable with a selected hook member to thereby hold a leg in vertically adjusted position and maintain said frame at a predetermined height.

6. A brooder or hover comprising a frame formed of ou'ter side and end walls, means slidably connecting the adjacent ends of said walls together, flexible inner side and end walls, upwardly opening channel members iixed to said outer side and end walls, upper tunnels carried by said exible walls, a rod disposed in each upper tunnel and engageable in a channel member to dependingly support said inner walls in inwardly spaced relation to said outer walls, a pair of top sections engageable on the upper end of said frame, means hingedly securing said sections together, means carried by said outer walls holding said top sections against lateral and endwise movements, heat insulating means carried by said top sections, a pivoted supporting leg carried by an end of each top section and engageable with a holding means for holding a leg in upright position, a heating means within said frame, and a roost engageable with said top sections.

'7. A brooder or hover comprising a frame, a heating means in said frame, means supporting said heating means in said frame, a pair of top sections engaging the upper end of said frame, upwardly projecting members carried by said frame for holding said top sections against lateral and longitudinal movement, means hingedly securing said top sections together, leach of said top sections comprising a bottom wall, upstanding side and end walls, a transverse partition and bracing member secured to a bottom' wall and opposite side walls, and an insulating means carried by each of said sections, said partitions holding said insulating means against movement.

8. In a brooder or hover, a structure compris-- being yformed from a web of woven fabric, `means` connected with `the upper ends of said outer walls and to the upper ends of the said inner'walls for detaohebly suspending said inner walls in opposed spaced relation with respect to the inner yfaces cf said outer walls to provide for the corre lation of said outer and inner walls to form insulating air spaces.

d. In a brooder or hover, a structure comprising a pair of sheet-like rigid outer side walls, a

pair of sheet-like rigid outer end walls, said side;

and end walls having coacting means for detachably and slidably connecting adjacent ends of said walls together and for limiting the extent of the sliding movement in one direction of one wall with respect 'to an adjacent wall, a pair of v.

vertically disposed flexible inner side walls, a pair of exible inner end walls, said inner walls being formed from a web of woven fabric, means connected with the upper ends of said outer walls and to the upper ends of the said inner walls for detachably suspending said inner walls in opposed spaced relation with'respect to the inner faces of said out'er walls to provide for the correlation of said outer and inner walls to form insulating air spaces, and weighting means for and secured to the lower ends of said inner side walls.

l0. In a brooder or hover, a structure comprising a pair of sheet-like rigid outer side walls, a pair of sheet-like rigid outer end Walls, said side and end walls having coacting means for detachably and slidably connecting adjacent ends of said walls together and for limiting the extent of the sliding movement in one direction of one wall with respect to an adjacent wall, a pair of vertically disposed iiexible inner side walls, a pair of iiexible inner end walls, said inner walls being formed from a web of woven fabric, means connected with the upper ends of said outer walls and to the upper ends of the said inner walls for detachably suspending said inner walls in opposed spaced relation with respect to the inner faces of said outer walls to provide for the correlation of said outer and inner walls to form insulating air spaces, and iiexible flaps depending from the lower ends of the inner side walls.

11. A brooder or hover comprising a rectangular frame-like structure formed of a pair of vertical oppositely disposed outer rigid side walls and a pair of vertical oppositely disposed outer rigid end walls, said walls being provided with correlated means at their ends for slidably connecting adjacent ends thereof together and to limit the downward sliding of one wall relative to an adjacent wall, a pair of flexible inner side wall forming elements, a pair of nexible inner end wall forming elements, 2eachyof said elements having its upper A*terminal portion in the form of a tunnel, a channel member extending inwardly Y from the vinner side of each rigid wall at the upper end of the latter, rods disposed inthe tunnels of said elements and -correlating with the channel members for depending-ly supporting said elements inwardly of and in spaced relation to said rigid walls to thereby provide for the correlation of said elements and rigid walls to licorm insulating air spaces.

12. A brooder or hover vcomprising a rectangular frame-like structure formed -of a pair of vertical oppositely disposed outer rigid V'side walls and a pair of vertical oppositely disposed outer rigid end walls, said walls being provided vwith correlated means at their ends forslidably -con- Anecti-ng adjacent ends 'thereofvtogethe'r and to limit the downward sliding of one Awall relative to an :adjacent wall, a pair of flexible inner side wall forming elements, a pairrof iexible inner end wall forming elements, each of said elements having its upper terminal 'portion' in Vthe form of a tunnel, a channel member extending inwardly from the inner side of each rigid Wall 'at the upper end-of the latten-rods -disposed in the tunnels of said elements Vand correlating with the Channel `members for vdependingly supporting .said elements inwardly of and in spaced vrelation to said rigid 'walls to thereby provideV for the correlation -of said elements 4and rigid wallsto form insulating air spaces, weights Acarried, by certain of said elements ,intermediate their upper and lower ends, and certain of said rigid walls formed with inwardly extending flanges aligning with and directed towards said weights.

13. In a brooder an open top and bottom rectangular frame-like structure including rigid outer end walls, rigid outer side walls, flexible inner end walls suspended from and disposed in spaced relation to the inner faeces of said outer end walls, flexible inner side walls suspended from and disposed in spaced relation to the inner faces of said outer side walls, spaced bracing means connected at their ends with the upper portion of said rigid side walls, and an insulated closure for the open top of said structure mounted on said bracing means and the upper ends of said rigid walls and formed of a pair of selectably shiftable sections hinged together and each provided with a supporting leg pivoted 'to the outer end thereof for seating on the top of a rigid end wall for supporting the section in an elevated position, and supporting means for said structure secured to said rigid outer end walls.

14. In a brooder provided with a heating means, a sectional ilat top therefor, said sections hingedly secured together at their inner sides and each of said sections including bottom, side and end walls for forming an open top chamber for receiving loose material, means connected to each section for supporting each of said sections in an inclined position to thereby ventilato the brooder and regulate the intensity of the heat within the brooder chamber and means extending transversely of the chamber of each section for bracing the latter and arresting the shifting of the loose material.

15. In a brooder, a horizontally disposed suspended frame formed of side and end walls, a rectangular element formed of a pair of oppositely shiftable sections provided with open top chambers for receiving loose material, said element being mounted on said walls and constituting a closure for the top of said frame, a Pair of inwardly projecting apertured supporting members carried by an opposed pair of said walls, a pair of supportingbars extending between said pair of walls, depending pins carried by the opposite ends of said bars engageable in the apertures of said supporting members, a perforate heater housing, a pair of transverse bars xed to said housing, and interengaging coupling members carried partly by said first pair of bars and partly by said second pair of bars for suspending said housing within said frame.

16. A brooder comprising a heating space, a top for said space, said top formed of a pair of oppositely shiftable like sections hingedly connected together, each section including a bottom, a pair of side and a pair of end walls, said side and end walls of each section coacting with the bottom of the section to form an open top chamber for receiving a loose material, the

hinged connection between said sections being disposed at the inner end walls of the latter, and each of said sections including transversely extending bracing means within the chamber thereof, said means acting to arrest the shifting of the material within said chambers.

17. In a brooder, a substantially rectangular frame-like structure formed of rigid side and end walls, means correlating with said end walls for selectively suspending said structure at different levels, independent sheet-like fabric side and'end walls inwardly of and disposed in spaced relation with respect to said rigid walls, said inner end walls being of greater height than said inner side Walls, weighting means for said inner side Walls arranged within the lower ends of the latter, and freely movable overlapping flaps suspended from and offset with respect to the lower ends of said inner side walls.

18. In a brooder, an open framework constituting upright walls, supporting means for said framework spacedly maintaining the bottom edges of the latter with relation to a supporting surface, substantially horizontally disposed supporting means for supporting a heating element within the confines of Ysaid framework and extending between the upper portions of opposite Walls, means engageable with said opposed walls for removably securing said heating element supporting means, heating means suspendably carried by the said heating element supporting means, a flat sectional approximately horizontally disposed removable heat conducting roof element spaced above said heating means independent therefrom and resting on said heating element supporting means, the top surface of said roof element constituting a floor for loose material, said roof element together with said upright walls constituting a downwardly opening brooding chamber, the heat transmitted through said roof serving to warm and dry any loose material thereon, said roof element being provided with means extending transversely thereof to hingedly connect the sections together and provide for holding the loose material from shifting from one section to another when one section is raised, and means extending transversely of each section for holding the loose material against shifting relative to a section.

LUTY HAWKINS. 

